CVE-2018-0847 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and Windows Server 2016 allow information disclosure, due to how Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0847 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer across multiple operating system versions including Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 versions 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709. This issue stems from how Internet Explorer manages memory objects during web page rendering and execution processes, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability affects both desktop and server operating systems, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple system types may be simultaneously at risk.
Technical analysis reveals that the flaw occurs within Internet Explorer's memory management mechanisms when handling certain objects during webpage processing. Specifically, the vulnerability manifests when the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize memory references during object manipulation, potentially allowing adjacent memory regions to be accessed or exposed. This memory handling weakness falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can lead to data leakage vulnerabilities. The issue is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level where user interactions with web content are processed, potentially exposing sensitive information that resides in memory buffers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access cached credentials, session tokens, personal information, or other confidential data that applications store in memory. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1003.001 for "OS Credential Dumping" when combined with other exploitation techniques. The risk is elevated in environments where users frequently access untrusted websites or where the browser is used to process sensitive corporate data, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise enterprise systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0847 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed through official security patches. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and browser hardening measures to reduce attack surface, including disabling unnecessary browser features and implementing strict content security policies. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous memory access patterns or unexpected data transfers that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping systems updated remains crucial in defending against this type of vulnerability that relies on user interaction with malicious web content.